Match 11 of the Women’s Premier League 2026 is set for January 17 at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai, with Delhi Capitals taking on Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Both teams need a win, but for very different reasons.
Delhi Capitals just can’t catch a break. With Jemimah Rodrigues stepping in as captain, DC will aim to maintain their head-to-head record against RCB, currently 5-2. After finishing as runners-up three times, they’re desperate to get things moving and keep their playoff dreams alive, finally.
Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru look sharp right out of the gate. Smriti Mandhana has led them to two straight wins, and their strong run rate already puts them at the top of the table. Right now, RCB looks like the team to beat.
Match Details: DC-W vs RCB-W
Here are the key details of DC vs RCB:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Match 11 |
| Series | Women’s Premier League 2026 |
| Date | January 17, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai |
| Streaming | JioHotstar |
| Broadcast | Star Sports |
Head-to-Head Record: DC vs RCB
| Statistic | DC-W | RCB-W |
|---|---|---|
| Total Matches Played | 7 | 7 |
| Wins | 5 | 2 |
Performance in Last 1 Year
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | Win% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC-W | 11 | 5 | 6 | 45.45% |
| RCB-W | 10 | 5 | 5 | 50.00% |
Top Performers in the Last Year
Batters:
Shafali Verma (DC-W): 326 runs
Ellyse Perry (RCB-W): 372 runs
Bowlers:
Jess Jonassen (DC-W): 13 wickets
Georgia Wareham (RCB-W): 12 wickets
Pitch Report
Here is the pitch report that tells us the quality of the pitch:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Pitch Character | Batter-friendly. The surface offers a consistent pace and bounce, allowing batters to play their shots freely once they settle in. |
| Early Advantage | Fast Bowlers. The new ball provides some carry and pace in the initial overs. |
| Mid-Game Shift | Spinners. As the match progresses and the surface slows, spinners find more grip during the middle overs. |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 175-185 runs. |
| Boundary Dimensions | Short (48 m) to Moderate (66 m). The shorter square boundaries often lead to high-scoring games. |
| Toss Strategy | Bowl first. Teams chasing have done well due to the dew factor in evening matches. |
DC-W vs RCB-W Match 11: Winning & Toss Odds
| Platform | 1xBet | Stake | 4RABET | BetVibe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC-W Win Odds | 1.60 | 1.62 | 1.63 | 1.65 |
| RCB-W Win Odds | 2.20 | 2.22 | 2.23 | 2.25 |
| Toss Odds (DC-W) | 1.90 | 1.85 | 1.87 | 1.88 |
| Toss Odds (RCB-W) | 1.90 | 1.85 | 1.87 | 1.88 |
Probable Playing XI
Here are the probable playing 11 of both teams:
Delhi Capitals (DC-W)
Shafali Verma, Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues (C), Marizanne Kapp, Deeya Yadav, Chinelle Henry, Lizelle Lee (WK), Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, Alana King, Nandani Sharma
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB-W)
Smriti Mandhana, Grace Harris, Dayalan Hemlatha, Richa Ghosh (WK), Radha Yadav, Nadine de Klerk, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Prema Rawat, Linsey Smith, and Lauren Bell
Team Analysis
Here is some key information about both teams:
Delhi Capitals (DC-W)
The three-time runners-up have started their WPL 2026 campaign on the back foot. Under new captain Jemimah Rodrigues, Delhi have lost both their opening matches and sit at the bottom of the points table. A heartbreaking four-run loss to the Gujarat Giants followed their 50-run defeat to the Mumbai Indians.
The batting has shown glimpses of brilliance. Lizelle Lee scored a stunning 86 against Gujarat Giants, while Laura Wolvaardt contributed 77 in the exact match. The South African duo have been the standout performers with the bat so far.
The bowling, however, has been a concern. Delhi’s powerplay bowling has consistently leaked runs. The bright spot is young pacer Nandini Sharma, who claimed a hat trick and five-wicket haul against Gujarat Giants. She has taken seven wickets in her first two WPL matches and looks like a genuine find.
Delhi also lost Annabel Sutherland before the tournament due to personal reasons. Australian spinner Alana King replaced her and adds depth to the spin department alongside Sneh Rana.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB-W)
RCB have made a flying start to their title defense. The 2024 champions are unbeaten in two matches and sit at the top of the points table with the best net run rate in the tournament.
Their opening match against Mumbai Indians saw a nail-biting finish. South African all-rounder Nadine de Klerk was the hero, scoring an unbeaten 63 and taking four wickets to secure a three-wicket win off the final ball. She followed it up with another solid display against UP Warriorz as RCB cruised to a nine-wicket victory.
RCB did suffer a setback before the tournament when Ellyse Perry withdrew for personal reasons. Sayali Satghare replaced her in the squad. Additionally, Pooja Vastrakar has been ruled out for around two weeks due to a hamstring injury. These absences have weakened their all-around options.
Captain Smriti Mandhana continues to lead from the front. Her opening partnership with Grace Harris has given RCB solid starts. The bowling attack, led by Lauren Bell and Shreyanka Patil, has been disciplined throughout.
Key Players to Watch
Here are the best players to watch out for in this battle:
Best Batter: Laura Wolvaardt (DC-W)
The South African captain’s been on fire lately. That 77 off 38 balls against the Gujarat Giants is pure class, especially on those quick pitches. Wolvaardt knows how to hold things together, but when it’s time to push the tempo, she does that too. Teaming up with Lizelle Lee at the top, they’ve pretty much been Delhi’s biggest weapon this season.
Best Bowler: Nadine de Klerk (RCB-W)
The South African all-rounder has been on fire in WPL 2026. She grabbed four wickets in the first match and really kicked things off for RCB. De Klerk swings the ball both ways and bowls at a tricky medium pace, so she’s always a threat, no matter the conditions. And she’s not just about bowling; her unbeaten 63 against the Mumbai Indians proved she knows how to finish games with the bat too.
Match Prediction
Royal Challengers Bengaluru look like the team to beat right now. They’ve cruised through their first two matches, and honestly, they just seem to have everything working. The top order keeps piling on the runs, and their bowlers haven’t let anyone get away.
Delhi Capitals, on the other hand, haven’t had the best start, but they’re not out of it. Their batters almost pulled off a record chase against Gujarat Giants, so they’ve got some fight. The real issue is that their bowlers give away too much in the powerplay. That’s been hurting them.
As for the DY Patil Stadium, it’s been a paradise for batters this season. Scores over 180 aren’t unusual, and teams have chased them down, too. Once the dew settles in the evening, batting gets even easier. So, yeah, the toss matters a lot here.
Winner Prediction: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB-W)
RCB’s momentum and superior team balance give them the edge. Their bowling depth and consistent performances put them ahead of a struggling Delhi side. However, Delhi’s batting firepower means they can still spring a surprise on their day. The head-to-head record favors Delhi (5-2), which adds an interesting subplot to this contest.
Relatable Reads:
Conclusion
The DC-W and RCB-W match in the 2026 WPL feels huge. RCB just wants to keep their winning run going, and DC also wishes to maintain consistent winning momentum in this tournament after losing the first 2 games. Both teams have big-name international players, and with a pitch that rewards batters, you can almost count on fireworks tonight at DY Patil Stadium. For Delhi, this game is make-or-break. For RCB, it’s another shot at proving they’re the team to beat.
